Filling system for electronic smoking devices

ABSTRACT

A filling system for an electronic cigarette ( 10 ) is disclosed in which a nozzle ( 38 ) of a liquid dispenser ( 80 ) contains a plunger ( 62 ) which is biased by a spring ( 60 ) into a closed position in which liquid is prevented from flowing through the nozzle ( 38 ). In use the nozzle ( 38 ) is inserted into an open end ( 42 ) of a liquid reservoir ( 34 ) for an electronic cigarette containing an air tube ( 32 ). The plunger ( 62 ) engages with the end of the air tube ( 32 ) blocking the air tube ( 32 ) and opening the liquid flow path through the nozzle ( 38 ). The arrangement of the plunger ( 62 ) and nozzle ( 38 ) is such that operation of the plunger ( 62 ) only occurs when the nozzle ( 38 ) engaged within a liquid reservoir ( 32 ). A membrane ( 96 ) can be provided to prevent leakage from the liquid reservoir ( 34 ) when the nozzle ( 38 ) is disengaged.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/077,026,filed 9 Aug. 2018 (the '026 application); which is the national stage ofinternational application PCT/EP2017/052989, with an internationalfiling date of 10 Feb. 2017 (the '989 application), now expired. The'026 application and the '989 application are both hereby incorporatedby reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic smoking devicesand in particular electronic cigarettes. More specifically the presentinvention relates to filling systems for refilling the reservoir of anelectronic smoking device with liquid for vaporization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electronic smoking device is an electronic device that permits theuser to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol mist orvapor that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth and then exhaled.The inhaled aerosol mist or vapor typically bears nicotine and/or otherflavorings without the odor and health risks associated with traditionalsmoking and tobacco products. In use, a user experiences a similarsatisfaction and physical sensation to those experienced from atraditional smoking or tobacco product, and exhales an aerosol mist orvapor of similar appearance to the smoke exhaled when using suchtraditional smoking or tobacco products.

An electronic smoking device, such as an electronic cigarette, typicallyhas a housing accommodating an electric power source (e.g. a single useor rechargeable battery, electrical plug, or other power source), and anelectrically operable atomizer. The atomizer vaporizes or atomizesliquid supplied from a reservoir and provides vaporized or atomizedliquid as an aerosol which is extracted from the electronic smokingdevice via an air tube and a mouthpiece by a user sucking on themouthpiece.

The reservoir may be either a replaceable or refillable container thatis coupled to, or located in, the main body of the electronic smokingdevice and that is typically made of a resilient plastic material suchas high-density polypropylene. The reservoir may contain a wickingmaterial in which the liquid is stored or alternatively may just be astorage space without any wicking material. Once the replaceable orrefillable reservoir is emptied it must either be replaced or refilled.

Control electronics control the activation of the atomizer. In someelectronic cigarettes, an airflow sensor is provided within theelectronic smoking device, which detects a user puffing on the device(e.g., by sensing an under-pressure or an air flow pattern through thedevice). The airflow sensor indicates or signals the puff to the controlelectronics to power up the device and generate vapor. In otherelectronic cigarettes, a switch is used to power up the electroniccigarette to generate a puff of vapor.

The ingredients of the liquid for producing the aerosol mist or vapor insmoking-substitute devices vary widely, but typically include water andflavorings in a propylene glycol and/or glycerol base. Nicotine may alsobe included in solutions intended to fulfil a nicotine replacement role,without the harmful products associated with tobacco smoke.

Typically, electronic cigarettes are refilled by removing a mouthpiecefrom one end of the electronic cigarette to reveal the open end of therefillable reservoir. Liquid for atomization is then dispensed from adispenser that commonly resembles the small dropper bottles used fordispensing eye drops by dripping liquid from the outletliquid-dispensing tip of the dispenser into the revealed open end of thereservoir by squeezing the walls of the dispenser.

Existing liquid dispensing systems suffer from a number of drawbacks.

Frequently electronic smoking devices, particularly electroniccigarettes have approximately the same size and shape as a conventionalcigarette, typically about 100 mm with a 7.5 mm diameter, althoughlengths may range from 70 to 150 or 178 mm, and diameters from 5 to 28mm. This presents a relatively small target for a user when refillingthe device.

Furthermore, in many designs of electronic cigarette, the air tubeproviding a gas passage way between the atomizer and the mouthpiece islocated in the center of the reservoir. In such designs, often it isimportant when refilling the liquid reservoir for users to avoiddripping liquid into the air tube as if such liquid passes down the airtube into the atomizer this floods the atomizer and temporarily stopsthe device from working. When the device is then operated to clear themisplaced liquid, this often results in leakage as the misplaced liquidfinds its way out of the atomizer through the air passage. Clearing theair passage is also often accompanied by a “gurgling” sound andsensation which users find unpleasant. Having to avoid dripping liquiddown the air tube further reduces the cross-section of the availabletarget for dripping liquid into the reservoir.

Difficulties in refilling an electronic smoking device may cause usersto miss the reservoir causing their fingers holding the electronicsmoking device to come into contact with the liquid for atomization.Further liquid may spill from the reservoir prior to the mouthpiece ofthe device being re-attached closing the open end of the reservoir.Often liquid for atomization is relatively greasy and is impregnatedwith flavors which makes coming into contact unpleasant and undesirableas the liquid needs to be washed off and odors from the liquid may beretained on the hands. Further there is a risk that users mayaccidentally ingest the liquid if the liquid is not washed off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provideda nozzle for a liquid dispensing system for transferring liquid into aliquid reservoir of an electronic smoking device. A plunger is providedwithin a liquid flow path through the nozzle with the plunger beingmoveable between an open position in which liquid may flow through theliquid flow path and a closed position in which liquid flow through theliquid flow path is restricted with the plunger being biased towards theclosed position. The nozzle and plunger are configured so that when thenozzle is inserted into an engagement position within an openingproviding access to a liquid reservoir which contains an air tube forextracting vapour from an electronic smoking device, the plunger engageswith the air tube and is moved from the closed position to the openposition. When located in an engagement position, the plunger divertsliquid flowing via the flow path through said nozzle into the liquidreservoir and away from the air tube. In some embodiments the plungermay be configured to block the air tube to prevent liquid flowing viathe flow path though the nozzle from entering the air tube. Anindentation operable to receive an air tube when the nozzle is in anengagement position may be provided for this purpose

In some embodiments a sealing member may be mounted on the plunger,wherein the sealing member seals the liquid flow path through the nozzlewhen said plunger is in the closed position.

A further sealing member may be mounted on the nozzle configured to sealan opening providing access to a liquid reservoir when the nozzle isinserted into an opening. The nozzle may be configured so that thesealing member seals the opening when the nozzle is inserted into anopening prior to an air tube engaging with the plunger and moving theplunger into an open position.

A screw thread, bayonet, magnetic, friction fit, push fit or other typeof fitting may be provided on the nozzle which matches a correspondingscrew thread at the opening providing access to a liquid reservoir. Sucha screw thread, bayonet, magnetic, friction fit, push fit or other typeof fitting may be positioned on the nozzle so that if the nozzle isinserted into an opening having a matching screw thread, bayonet,magnetic, friction fit, push fit or other type of fitting, the screwthreads, bayonet, magnetic, friction fit, push fit or other type offitting engage each other before the plunger engages with an air tubewithin the opening.

In some embodiments an air vent may be provided enabling air to ventfrom a liquid reservoir when the nozzle is in an engagement position.The air vent may form part of the liquid flow path or may be separatefrom the liquid flow path. The air vent may be a vent to atmosphere.Alternatively, the air vent may be connected to a low pressure reservoirarranged to extract air from the liquid reservoir when the nozzle is inan engagement position. In some embodiments the low pressure reservoirmay be activated by movement of the plunger so as to extract air fromthe liquid reservoir when the plunger moves to the open position andhence actively suck air out of a liquid reservoir as liquid flows intothe liquid reservoir via the nozzle.

The nozzle may be attached to a liquid dispenser and used to refill aliquid reservoir accessible via an opening. The opening may be amouthpiece port operable to receive a mouthpiece configured forextracting vapour via the air tube.

The liquid reservoir may be part of a combined atomizer and liquidreservoir and may be incorporated in an electronic smoking device.

A membrane having one or more slit valves may be provided adjacent theend of the air tube. If such a membrane is provided, when the nozzle isin an engagement position, the membrane may be caused to be deformedopening the slit valves and permitting liquid to flow into the liquidreservoir.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there amethod of refiling a liquid reservoir of an electronic cigarette isprovided comprising: inserting a nozzle into an opening providing accessto the liquid reservoir wherein the plunger of the nozzle engages withan air tube accessible via the opening and is moved from a closedposition to an open position, the plunger when engaged being such as todivert liquid flowing through the nozzle into the liquid reservoir andaway from the air tube.

The characteristics, features and advantages of this invention and themanner in which they are obtained as described above, will become moreapparent and be more clearly understood in connection with the followingdescription of exemplary embodiments, which are explained with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, same element numbers indicate same elements in each ofthe views:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an exemplaryelectronic cigarette with a refillable liquid reservoir;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a nozzle of a liquid dispenser inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention and anatomizer/liquid storage portion of an electronic cigarette;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of a liquid dispenser andthe end of the atomizer/liquid storage portion of an electroniccigarette of FIG. 2 in an uncoupled configuration;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of a liquid dispenser andthe end of the atomizer/liquid storage portion of an electroniccigarette of FIG. 2 in an intermediate stage between an uncoupledconfiguration and a coupled configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of a liquid dispenser andthe end of the atomizer/liquid storage portion of an electroniccigarette of FIG. 2 in a coupled configuration;

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view illustrating the nozzle of theliquid dispenser and the end of the atomizer/liquid storage portion ofan electronic cigarette of FIG. 2 in an uncoupled configuration;

FIG. 7 is a further cross-sectional view illustrating the nozzle of theliquid dispenser and the end of the atomizer/liquid storage portion ofan electronic cigarette of FIG. 2 in a coupled configuration;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle of a liquid dispenser of asecond embodiment connected into a mouthpiece port at the end of theatomizer/liquid storage portion in a first configuration;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of the liquid dispenserof FIG. 8 inserted connected to a mouthpiece port at the end of theatomizer/liquid storage portion in a second configuration;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an atomizer andliquid reservoir for an electronic cigarette;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a membrane for enclosing a liquid reservoirfor an electronic cigarette;

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a nozzle of aliquid dispenser engaging the membrane of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the membrane of FIG. 11 in an openconfiguration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Prior to describing refilling systems in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention, an exemplary electronic smoking device in theform of an electronic cigarette of the type which might be refilledusing the described systems will first be described with reference toFIG. 1 which is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an exemplaryelectronic cigarette.

As is shown in FIG. 1, an electronic cigarette 10 typically has ahousing comprising a cylindrical hollow tube having an end cap 16. Thecylindrical hollow tube may be a single-piece or a multiple-piece tube.In FIG. 1, the cylindrical hollow tube is shown as a two-piece structurehaving a power supply portion 12 and an atomizer/liquid reservoirportion 14. Together the power supply portion 12 and the atomizer/liquidreservoir portion 14 form a cylindrical tube which can be approximatelythe same size and shape as a conventional cigarette, typically about 100mm with a 7.5 mm diameter, although lengths may range from 70 to 150 or178 mm, and diameters from 5 to 28 mm.

The power supply portion 12 and atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 aretypically made of metal, e.g. steel or aluminum, or of hardwearingplastic and act together with the end cap 16 to provide a housing tocontain the components of the electronic cigarette 10. The power supplyportion 12 and an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 may be configuredto fit together by a friction push fit, a snap fit, or a bayonetattachment, magnetic fit, or screw threads.

The atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electronic cigarette may beremovable and/or replaceable from a body portion of an electroniccigarette 10, or may be integrally formed with the body portion of theelectronic cigarette 10.

The end cap 16 is provided at the front end of the power supply portion12. The end cap 16 may be made from translucent plastic or othertranslucent material to allow a light-emitting diode (LED) 20 positionednear the end cap to emit light through the end cap. The end cap 16 canbe made of metal or other materials that do not allow light to pass.

An air inlet may be provided in the end cap 16, at the edge of the inletnext to the cylindrical hollow tube, anywhere along the length of thecylindrical hollow tube, or at the connection of the power supplyportion 12 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14. FIG. 1 shows apair of air inlets 17 provided at the intersection between the powersupply portion 12 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14.

A power supply, preferably a battery 18, an LED 20, control electronics22 and optionally an airflow sensor 24 are provided within thecylindrical hollow tube power supply portion 12. The battery 18 iselectrically connected to the control electronics 22, which areelectrically connected to the LED 20 and the airflow sensor 24. In thisexample the LED 20 is at the front end of the power supply portion 12,adjacent to the end cap 16 and the control electronics 22 and airflowsensor 24 are provided in the central cavity at the other end of thebattery 18 adjacent the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14.

The airflow sensor 24 acts as a puff detector, detecting a user puffingor sucking on the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 of the electroniccigarette 10. The airflow sensor 24 can be any suitable sensor fordetecting changes in airflow or air pressure, such as a microphoneswitch including a deformable membrane which is caused to move byvariations in air pressure. Alternatively the sensor may be a Hallelement or an electro-mechanical sensor.

The control electronics 22 are also connected to an atomizer 26. In theexample shown, the atomizer 26 includes a heating coil 28 which iswrapped around a wick 30 extending across an air tube 32 forming acentral passage passing through the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion14. The coil 28 may be positioned anywhere in the atomizer 26 and may betransverse or parallel to the liquid reservoir 34. The wick 30 andheating coil 28 do not completely block the air tube 32. Rather an airgap is provided on either side of the heating coil 28 enabling air toflow past the heating coil 28 and the wick 30. The atomizer 26 mayalternatively use other forms of heating elements, such as ceramicheaters, or fiber or mesh material heaters. Nonresistance heatingelements such as sonic, piezo and jet spray may also be used in theatomizer 26 in place of the heating coil.

The air tube 32 is surrounded by a cylindrical liquid reservoir 34 withthe ends of the wick 30 abutting or extending into the liquid reservoir34. The wick 30 may be a porous material such as a bundle of fiberglassfibers, with liquid in the liquid reservoir 34 drawn by capillary actionfrom the ends of the wick 30 towards the central portion of the wick 30encircled by the heating coil 28.

The liquid reservoir 34 may alternatively include wadding soaked inliquid which encircles the central passage 32 with the ends of the wick30 abutting the wadding. In other embodiments the liquid reservoir 34may comprise a toroidal cavity arranged to be filled with liquid andwith the ends of the wick 30 extending into the toroidal cavity.

A mouthpiece 35 having an inhalation port 36 is attached to the end ofthe atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 remote from the end cap 16. Themouth piece 35 acts to enclose the end of the liquid reservoir 34 remotefrom the end cap 16 with the inhalation port 36 being an extension ofthe central passage formed by the air tube 32. The mouthpiece 35 and theatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 may be configured to fit togetherby a friction push fit, a snap fit, or a bayonet attachment, magneticfit, or screw threads.

In use, a user sucks on the electronic cigarette 10. This causes air tobe drawn into the electronic cigarette 10 via one or more air inlets,such as air inlets 17, and to be drawn through the air tube 32 towardsthe air inhalation port 36. The change in air pressure which arises isdetected by the airflow sensor 24, which generates an electrical signalthat is passed to the control electronics 22. In response to the signal,the control electronics 22 activate the heating coil 28, which causesliquid present in the wick 30 to be vaporized creating an aerosol (whichmay comprise gaseous and liquid components) within the air tube 32. Asthe user continues to suck on the electronic cigarette 10, this aerosolis drawn through the air tube 32 and air inhalation port 36 and inhaledby the user. At the same time the control electronics 22 also activatethe LED 20 causing the LED 20 to light up which is visible via thetranslucent end cap 16 mimicking the appearance of a glowing ember atthe end of a conventional cigarette. As liquid present in the wick 30 isconverted into an aerosol more liquid is drawn into the wick 30 from theliquid reservoir 34 by capillary action and thus is available to beconverted into an aerosol through subsequent activation of the heatingcoil 28.

Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure andfunction of a typical electronic cigarette 10, variations also exist.For example, the LED 20 may be omitted. The airflow sensor 24 may beplaced adjacent the end cap 16 rather than in the middle of theelectronic cigarette. The airflow sensor 24 may be replaced with aswitch which enables a user to activate the electronic cigarettemanually rather than in response to the detection of a change in airflow or air pressure.

Different types of atomizers may be used. Thus for example, the atomizermay have a heating coil in a cavity in the interior of a porous bodysoaked in liquid. In this design aerosol is generated by evaporating theliquid within the porous body either by activation of the coil heatingthe porous body or alternatively by the heated air passing over orthrough the porous body. Alternatively the atomizer may use apiezoelectric atomizer to create an aerosol either in combination or inthe absence of a heater.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIG. 2 which is a perspective view of a nozzle 38 of aliquid dispenser (with the liquid dispenser omitted) and theatomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electronic cigarette, and FIGS.3-5 which are cross sectional views of the nozzle 38 and an end of theatomizer/liquid storage portion 14 in an uncoupled, an intermediate andcoupled configuration.

The atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electronic cigarette shownin the figures is shown with the mouthpiece 35 removed. The illustratedfeatures of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electroniccigarette comprise a mouthpiece port 39 and a body section 40. Themouthpiece port 39 comprises a hollow section open at both ends andconfigured to receive an end of a mouthpiece 35 (not shown) in anaperture 42 at a first end thereof. A second aperture 44 at opposite endof mouthpiece port 39 provides fluid communication between themouthpiece port 39 and both the liquid reservoir 34 and the air tube 32of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of the electronic cigarette.When a mouthpiece 35 is located within the mouthpiece port 39, theaperture 44 is partly sealed by the end of the mouthpiece 35 to providefluid communication with the air tube 32 only. This is to prevent liquidcontained in liquid reservoir 34 from leaking from the liquid reservoir34.

During a re-filling process, the mouthpiece 35 is removed from themouthpiece port 39 of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of theelectronic cigarette, leaving the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 ofan electronic cigarette in the state as illustrated.

With the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electronic cigarettein this state, the nozzle 38 of a liquid dispenser can be slid into themouthpiece port 39 of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of anelectronic cigarette to undertake the re-filling process.

Referring first to FIG. 2, which shows the nozzle 38 of a liquiddispenser (the liquid dispenser itself is not shown in FIG. 2) prior tolocation within the mouthpiece port 39 of the atomizer/liquid storageportion 14, the nozzle 38 in this embodiment comprises a first 48 and asecond 50 tubular section joined together. Together the first 48 andsecond tubular sections act to form a housing and define a liquid flowpath through the nozzle 38.

A groove 52 is provided on the exterior wall 54 of the first section 48of the nozzle 38. Flanges 56,58 extend from the ends of the firstsection 48 and a second section 50 which abut each other whichfacilitates joining the sections, together allowing the first 48 andsecond 50 sections to be manufactured as separate units prior toassembly.

The exterior wall 54 of the first section 48 of the nozzle 38 isslidably engagable within the aperture 42 of the mouthpiece port 39 ofthe atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 other than the region of the wall54 comprising the groove 52 which is recessed relative to the size ofthe aperture 42.

Turning now to FIG. 3 which shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle38, a helical coil spring 60 is inserted into the cavity of the secondsection 50 of the nozzle 38 and a plunger 62 extends through the middleof helical coil spring 60 so that shoulder 64 on the plunger 62 maycontact an end 60 a of the spring 60 The plunger 62 is inserted into thehollow cylindrical cavity 66 of first section 48 of the nozzle 38.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first section 48 and second section 50 areconnected together so that the spring 60 is partially compressed suchthat one end, 60 a, abuts the shoulder 64 of the plunger 62 and theother end abuts an interior formation 68 of the nozzle 38 (in theillustrated case a formation on second section 50). The compression ofthe spring 60 causes the plunger 62 to be biased against and abut apartially inwardly extending portion 72 of the first section 48 sidewall. The exterior wall 54 of the first section 48 of the nozzle 38 isconfigured to be in slidable engagement with a portion 74 of the innerwall of mouthpiece port 39 of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14.Also shown is a thinner section 76 of the exterior wall 54 of the firstsection of the nozzle 38 which forms the bottom of groove 52 illustratedin FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the nozzle 38 partially insertedinto the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electronic cigarette.Not all reference numerals are shown in this figure for claritypurposes. The slidable engagement of the outer wall 52 of the firstsection 48 with the portion 74 of the inner wall of the mouthpiece port39 of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 is clearly illustrated.Additionally, groove 52 can be seen to be in the process of being formedbetween the thinner portion of the wall 54 and the corresponding portion74 of the inner wall of mouthpiece port 39 of the atomizer/liquidstorage portion 14. Advancing the nozzle 38 toward the atomizer/liquidstorage portion 14 in a direction indicated by arrow A will bring thenozzle 38 and the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 closer to fullengagement.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the nozzle 38 and atomizer/liquid storageportion 14 fully engaged with each other. As can be seen, the travel offirst section 48 of the nozzle 38 into the mouthpiece port 39 of theatomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of the electronic cigarette in thedirection indicated by arrow A causes a sealing surface 78 of plunger 62to come into contact with the end of the air tube 32 of theatomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of the electronic cigarette. Thisforces the plunger 62 back against spring 60. It should be noted thatgroove 52 extends along wall 54 to form a gas pathway from groove 52into the liquid reservoir 34. The gas pathway provides a ventingmechanism for air to escape from a reservoir being filled with a liquidbut also may provide for the ingress of air into a bottle from which theliquid is being supplied to the reservoir.

Forcing the plunger 62 back in this manner (i.e. in the directionindicated by arrow B) causes a gap to open between the shoulder 64 ofthe plunger 62 and the inwardly extending portion 72 of the firstsection 48 of the nozzle 38 thereby opening a valve element of thenozzle 38 to provide a liquid pathway through the nozzle 38.

At the same time the sealing surface 78 of the plunger 62 engages withand blocks the open end of the air tube 32. Thus when the valve elementof the nozzle 38 is opened to provide a liquid pathway through thenozzle 38, the plunger 62 blocks the open end of the air tube 32 andprevents liquid from entering the air tube 32 and hence prevents liquidfrom flooding the atomizer 26. In the illustrated embodiment a centralportion of the sealing surface 78 is indented so that when the plunger62 engages the end of the air tube 32, the air tube 32 enters the recessdefined by the indentation.

Typically, a re-filling process will be conducted with the nozzle 38 andatomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electronic cigarettesubstantially vertical with the nozzle 38 above the atomizer/liquidstorage portion 14 of an electronic cigarette. When held in this manner,liquid to be dispensed will travel in the direction of arrow A under theinfluence of gravity down through the nozzle 38 and into the liquidreservoir 34 of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of the electroniccigarette.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, use of the nozzle 38 for dispensing liquidfrom a bottle into the liquid reservoir 34 of the atomizer/liquidstorage portion 14 of an electronic cigarette is illustrated inperspective cross-section in both figures.

FIG. 6 shows the nozzle 38 and atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of anelectronic cigarette in the uncoupled configuration and FIG. 7 shows thenozzle 38 and atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electroniccigarette in the coupled configuration. The nozzle 38 is disposed in theneck of a liquid dispenser bottle 80. Before insertion of the nozzle 38into the mouthpiece port 39 of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 ofan electronic cigarette (i.e. as shown in FIG. 6) the plunger 62 ofnozzle 38 is in a closed configuration. With the nozzle 38 inserted inthe mouthpiece port 39 of the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 (i.e.as shown in FIG. 7), and upon application of a force denoted by arrow Eto dispenser bottle 80 and an oppositely directed force denoted by arrowF to the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14, the plunger 62 is movedinto an open position which permits liquid to flow from dispenser bottle80 to the liquid reservoir 34 of atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 ofan electronic cigarette. Liquid flow from the dispenser bottle 80 to theliquid reservoir 34 of atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of anelectronic cigarette is illustrated in FIG. 7 by way of arrows 82.

Gas displaced from the liquid reservoir 34 as a result of the liquidbeing added is vented from the liquid reservoir 34 via a gas pathwayformed by groove 52. Gas flow from the liquid reservoir 34 ofatomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electronic cigarette isillustrated in FIG. 7 by way of arrows 84.

The displaced gas may, for example, be vented to atmosphere (as shown inFIG. 7). Optionally, the groove 52 may be configured to form a gaspathway for venting the displaced gas into the dispenser bottle 80.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 8 and 9 which are cross-sectional views of a nozzle38 of a liquid dispenser 80 attached to a mouthpiece port 39 at the endof the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of an electronic cigarette ina first and a second configuration.

As in the first embodiment, in this embodiment a plunger 62 is providedwithin the nozzle 38 with the plunger 62 being biased in the positionillustrated in FIG. 8 by a coil spring 60. In this embodiment portion ofthe plunger 62 rests against and compresses a seal 86 attached to theplunger 62 which acts to block a liquid flow path and prevent liquidfrom flowing out of a dispenser bottle 80 to which the nozzle 38 isattached.

In this embodiment a screw thread 88 is provided on the inside wall ofthe mouthpiece port 39 at the end of the atomizer/liquid storage portion14 of an electronic cigarette arranged to match with a correspondingscrew thread on a mouthpiece (not shown) when the electronic cigaretteis in use. A matching screw thread 90 is provided on the exterior wallat the tip of the nozzle 38. A further seal 92 is provided on the nozzle38 adjacent the end of the screw thread 90 remote from the tip of thenozzle 38.

FIG. 9 illustrates the nozzle 38 fully engaged into the mouthpiece port39 with the plunger 62 in an open configuration. In this configuration,the seal 86 provided on the plunger 62 is lifted away from the flow paththrough the nozzle 38 and therefore ceases to block the flow path andpermits liquid to flow from the dispenser 80 into the liquid reservoiras indicted by the arrow on the left hand side of FIG. 9.

The relative lengths and arrangement of the plunger 62, air tube 32 andscrew threads 88,90 are such that when the screw thread 90 of the nozzle38 initially engages into the screw thread on the mouthpiece port 38,the end surface of the plunger 62 does not rest against the end of theair tube 32. Rather it is only when the screw threads 88, 90 aretightened to the extent which compresses the seal 92 (such as isillustrated in FIG. 9) that the plunger 62 reaches the end of the airtube 32. When this occurs as in the previous embodiment this pushes theplunger 62 against the coil spring 60 and opens a liquid flow path fromthe liquid dispenser 80 into the liquid reservoir 34 adjacent the airtube 32.

At the same time the seal 92 adjacent the screw thread 90 on the nozzle38 is compressed sealing the end of the mouthpiece port 39, sealing theopen entrance of the mouthpiece port 39. As with the first embodiment,with the plunger 62 in this position, the end of the air tube 32 withinthe liquid reservoir is capped by the plunger 62 which prevents liquidfrom entering the air tube 32 and flooding the atomizer 26 of theelectronic cigarette.

In this embodiment, an air vent 94 separate from the liquid flow path isprovided in the nozzle 38 enabling air to vent out of the liquidreservoir 34 as liquid is transferred into the liquid reservoir 34 fromthe liquid dispenser 80. The air flow path via the air vent 94 isindicated by the arrow on the right of the figure.

The present embodiment has a number of advantages over the firstembodiment.

The provision of a seal 86 on the plunger 62 to block the liquid flowpath from the liquid reduces the likelihood of the nozzle leaking priorto being attached to the atomizer/liquid storage portion 14 of anelectronic cigarette.

Having the end of the plunger 62 recessed relative to the end of thenozzle 38 reduces the likelihood of accidental activation of the plunger62.

Further by arranging the seal 92, and the screw threads 88 and 90 suchthat the plunger 62 only engages and is depressed by the end of the airtube 32 when the nozzle 38 is inserted into and attached to theatomizer/liquid storage portion 14 and the seal 92 is compressed, thepossibility of leakage from the apparatus during the filling operationis reduced.

Finally, by providing an air vent 94 which is separate from the liquidflow path the flow of liquid is improved as the air vent 94 will not getblocked by liquid flowing into the liquid reservoir 34 preventing airfrom venting to atmosphere and resulting in a partial vacuum beinggenerated within the apparatus disrupting liquid flow.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

Refilling an electronic cigarette with liquid for atomization involves anumber of distinct stages. First the mouth piece 35 at the end of theelectronic cigarette is removed, revealing the end of the liquidreservoir 34. Then a liquid dispenser 80 is utilized to fill the liquidreservoir 34. The liquid dispenser 80 is then removed and then finallythe mouthpiece 35 is replaced.

In the previous two embodiments, refillable electronic cigarettes havebeen described in which a dispenser nozzle 38 is arranged to dispenseliquid only when the nozzle 38 is engaged with the liquid reservoir 34of an electronic cigarette. In the previous embodiments this is achievedby having the operation of the liquid dispenser activated by theengagement of a plunger 62 with the end of an air tube 32 of anelectronic cigarette. This addresses the problem of accidental dischargeof liquid from the liquid dispenser 80 other than when the liquiddispenser 80 is directed to filling an electronic cigarette.

In addition in the second embodiment by virtue of an arrangement ofscrew threads 88, 90 and a seal 92, a refilling system is described inwhich leakage of liquid during the refilling process is minimized.

However, even if accidental discharge of liquid for atomization isavoided and a liquid dispenser 80 and a liquid reservoir 34 are sealedduring a refilling operation it is possible for liquid to leak from theliquid reservoir 34 either prior to attachment of the liquid dispenser80 (if some residual liquid is present in the liquid reservoir 34 whenthe electronic cigarette is being refilled) or alternatively immediatelyafter the liquid dispenser 80 has been detached from the electroniccigarette and prior to the reattachment of the mouthpiece 35.

In some electronic cigarettes, this problem is avoided by providingwadding, a sponge or other absorbent material within the liquidreservoir 34. However, in many electronic cigarettes the liquidreservoir 34 is in the form of an empty cavity or tank.

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described inwhich the leakage of liquid for atomization from an electronic cigaretteprior to or immediately after refilling the electronic cigarette andwhen the mouthpiece port 39 of the electronic cigarette is not enclosedby the presence of a mouthpiece 35 is prevented.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an atomizer and aliquid reservoir for an electronic cigarette. With the exception of amembrane 96 provided at the end of the liquid reservoir 34 adjacent theend 98 of the air tube 32, the structure of the atomizer/liquidreservoir is identical to the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 ofFIG. 1 and corresponding features have been identified with the samereference numerals as were used in relation to describing theatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the membrane 96. In this embodiment themembrane comprises a circular disc of a rubber or other flexiblematerial. A hole 100 is provided a the center of the disc with the holecorresponding in size with the size of the air tube 32 and the diameterof the disc corresponding in size to the opening at the end of theliquid reservoir 34. When positioned within the atomizer/liquidreservoir portion 14 the membrane acts to enclose the open end of theliquid reservoir 34 with the end 98 of the air tube 32 protrudingthrough the hole 100 at the center of the disc. In the exampleillustrated 4 slit valves 102 are provided within the membrane 96. Whenthe membrane 96 is in the position indicated in FIG. 10, these slitvalves 102 will be in a closed configuration as is illustrated in FIG.11. In this configuration the membrane acts as a barrier to prevent anyliquid from within the liquid reservoir 34 from exiting the liquidreservoir 34.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross sectional illustration of a nozzle 38 of aliquid dispenser engaging the membrane 96 of FIG. 11.

As in the previous embodiments, the nozzle 38 contains a plunger 62which is biased by a spring 60 into a closed configuration in whichliquid flow via the nozzle 38 is blocked. When the plunger 62 engagesthe end 96 of the air tube 32, this presses the plunger 62 against thespring 60 and opens a liquid flow path through the nozzle 38. At thesame time, the plunger 62 caps the end 98 of the air tube 32 andprevents liquid from entering the air tube 32. In this embodiment, inaddition, when the nozzle 38 is in this position, with the plunger 62being engaging the air tube 32, the nozzle 38 presses against themembrane 96 causing the membrane 96 to deform.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the membrane of FIG. 11 when the membrane 96is deformed by the nozzle 38 pressing against the membrane 96. Whendeformed, the membrane 96 adopts an open configuration in which the slitvalves 102 adopt an open configuration as is illustrated in the figure.In this configuration liquid passing via the fluid flow path within thenozzle 38 can enter the liquid reservoir 34 via the open slit valves102.

However, when the nozzle 38 is withdrawn, the membrane 96 returns to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 11 where the slit valves 102 are closed andhence any liquid which has passed through the slit valves 102 into theliquid reservoir 34 is retained within the liquid reservoir 34.

Further Embodiments and Modifications

Although in the above embodiments a plunger 62 has been described ascapping or blocking the end of an air tube 32 of an electroniccigarette, it will be appreciated that various alternative means forpreventing liquid from entering the air tube 32 might be utilised. Thusfor example rather than completely covering the end of the air tube, theplunger 62 might be shaped to deflect liquid away from the tube.

In the first embodiment the plunger 62 has been described as having arecess for capping the air tube 32 whereas a plunger 62 with a flat endsurface is shown in the second embodiment. It will be appreciated thatin other embodiments the end of the plunger might have a protrusionconfigured to enter into the air tube 32 to block the tube.

In the second embodiment a refilling system was described in where screwthreads 88 were provided on the interior of a mouthpiece port 39 and onthe exterior of a nozzle 39. It will be appreciated that otherconfigurations of screw thread might be utilised. Thus for example ascrew thread might be provided on the exterior or the mouthpiece portand a corresponding screw thread might be provided on an interior wallextending from the end of the nozzle 38.

It will also be appreciated that a number of different arrangements of ascrew threads 88 and 90 and the plunger 62 and air tube 32 could be madewhich result in the plunger 62 only engaging with the end of the airtube 32 when the screw threads have engaged and preferably if a seal 92is provided the seal 92 is compressed. Thus for example sucharrangements would include recessing the plunger 62 relative to the endof the nozzle 38 bearing a screw thread 90 or recessing the end of theair tube 32 relative to the end of the mouthpiece port 39 bearing ascrew thread 88 and in some embodiments both might be recessed.

In the second embodiment a refilling system has been described in whicha liquid dispenser 80 is attached to a liquid reservoir 34 of anelectronic cigarette via a pair of screw threads 88,90. It will beappreciated that other forms of connection such as magnetic, frictionfit or push fit or bayonet fittings could be utilised instead.

It will also be appreciated that a seal 92 could be provided in theabsence of any screw threads with arrangement of the seal 92 and thedistances between the plunger 62 and the end of an air tube 32 beingsuch that the seal 92 is caused be compressed prior to the plunger 62being activated to open a liquid flow path between a liquid dispenser 80and a liquid reservoir 34.

Instead of a spring 60 to provide the compression force on the plunger62 to bias it into the closed position, alternative means of compressioncould be used. One example would be a flexible rubber material which ismildly compressed to bias the plunger 62, but with increased compressionof the rubber material, the plunger 62 would move to the open position.Alternatively the rubber material could be assembled to be in tensionwhen it is connected from the plunger 62 to the nozzle 38, andpushing/screwing the nozzle onto the atomiser results in an increase intension to open the plunger.

Although in the second embodiment an air vent 94 has been described asenabling air to be vented to atmosphere, in other embodiments the airvent 94 could be connected to a low pressure air reservoir 95 such thatair is caused to be sucked out of the liquid reservoir 34. In suchembodiments low pressure air reservoir 95 might be activated by theoperation of the plunger 62 so that air is sucked from the liquidreservoir 34 as liquid is delivered from the liquid dispenser.

Although in the above described embodiments nozzles 38 containing springbiased plungers 62 have been described as being attached to liquiddispensing bottles, it will be appreciated that such nozzles could beintegrally formed with such dispensers or alternative could be attachedto such dispensers. It will also be appreciated that other forms ofliquid dispenser other than a bottle might be used to store liquid priorto transfer to a liquid reservoir 34 of an electronic cigarette or otherelectronic smoking device.

As noted in the introduction to this application, the dimensions ofelectronic cigarettes vary. It will therefore be appreciated thatdifferent electronic cigarettes may require nozzles of different sizesand or different arrangements of seals, screw threads and/or plungersmight be required for refilling different types of electronic cigaretteor other electronic smoking devices. It will therefore be appreciatedthat a liquid dispensing system could be provided with multipledetachable nozzles enabling the system to be adapted for use withdifferent types and sizes electronic cigarettes and devices.

In the second embodiment a refilling system is described in which theflow of liquid is inhibited prior to a nozzle 38 being attached to themouthpiece port 39 of an electronic cigarette by virtue of the relativearrangement of a plunger 62, an air tube 32 and the screw threads 80,90provided on a nozzle 38 of a dispensing device and on the mouthpieceport 39 of an electronic cigarette. It will be appreciated that othermeans could be provided to inhibit fluid flow so as to avoid accidentaldischarge of liquid. Thus for example in some embodiments a protrusionmight be provided on the exterior of the plunger 62 with a correspondingrecess being provided within the cavity containing the plunger 62 (orvice versa) where the recess was blocked and user action was requiredremove the blockage (e.g. by depressing a button or twisting thedevice). A benefit of such a system would be that two actions (e.g.attaching the dispenser to the mouthpiece port 39 and depressing abutton etc.) would be required to result in liquid being dispensed.

In the second embodiment a refilling system has been described in whicha liquid dispenser 80 is attached to a liquid reservoir 34 of anelectronic cigarette via a pair of screw threads 88,90. It will beappreciated that other forms of connection such as magnetic, frictionfit or push fit or bayonet fittings could be utilised instead.

Although in the third embodiment a membrane 96 with four slit valves isillustrated, it will be appreciated that a membrane 96 with more orfewer slit valves 102 might be used. Similarly it will be appreciatedthat the arrangement of the slit valves 102 may differ from thearrangement illustrated in the figures.

Although in the above description, three embodiments have beendescribed, it will be appreciated that aspects of the differentembodiments could be combined. Thus for example the membrane 96described in the third embodiment could be combined with the nozzles ofthe first or second embodiment. Similarly, the use of a seal 86 mountedon a plunger 86 as described in the second embodiment could be combinedwith the nozzle designs described in the other embodiments as could thepresence of a second seal 92 on the nozzle 38 itself to improve the sealbetween a nozzle 38 and a port in an electronic cigarette used to refillthe liquid reservoir of the electronic cigarette.

More generally, while this invention has been described in connectionwith what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covervarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thescope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A liquid supply system for an electronicsmoking device comprising: a liquid dispenser; a nozzle; and a liquidreservoir of the electronic smoking device; wherein the nozzlecomprises: a housing defining a liquid flow path through the nozzle; anda plunger provided within the liquid flow path, the plunger beingmoveable between an open position in which liquid may flow through saidliquid flow path and a closed position in which liquid flow through saidliquid flow path is restricted wherein the plunger is biased towardssaid closed position; wherein nozzle and plunger are configured so thatwhen the nozzle is inserted into an engagement position within anopening providing access to the liquid reservoir of the electronicsmoking device which contains an air tube for extracting vapour from theelectronic smoking device, the plunger engages with said air tube and ismoved from said closed position to said open position, the plunger insaid engagement position being such as to divert liquid flowing via theliquid flow path through said nozzle into the liquid reservoir and awayfrom the air tube, wherein an air vent is provided enabling air to ventfrom the liquid reservoir when the nozzle is in said engagement positionwithin the opening within an electronic smoking device; wherein the airtube for extracting vapour from the electronic smoking device isaccessible via said opening; and wherein a membrane having one or moreslit valves is provided adjacent the end of the air tube accessible viasaid opening, wherein when said nozzle is in said engagement position,said membrane is caused to be deformed opening said slit valves andpermitting liquid to flow into said liquid reservoir.
 2. A liquid supplysystem in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plunger comprises asealing surface adapted to engage with and block the air tube of theelectronic smoking device when the nozzle is in the engagement position,preventing liquid flowing via the liquid flow path through the nozzlefrom entering said air tube.
 3. A liquid supply system in accordancewith claim 1, wherein a sealing member is mounted on said plunger,wherein said sealing member seals said liquid flow path when saidplunger is in said closed position.
 4. A liquid supply system inaccordance with claim 1, wherein a sealing member is mounted on saidnozzle wherein said sealing member is configured to seal the opening. 5.A liquid supply system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said nozzleis configured so that said sealing member seals the opening prior to theair tube of the electronic smoking device engaging with the plunger andmoving the plunger into an open position.
 6. A liquid supply system inaccordance with claim 1, wherein a screw thread, bayonet, magnetic,friction fit, push fit or other type of fitting is provided on saidnozzle which matches a corresponding screw thread, bayonet, magnetic,friction fit, push fit or other type of fitting at the opening providingaccess to the liquid reservoir.
 7. A liquid supply system in accordancewith claim 6, wherein the screw thread, bayonet, magnetic, friction fit,push fit or other type of fitting is positioned on said nozzle so thatif the nozzle is attached to a device having a matching screw thread,bayonet, magnetic, friction fit, push fit or other type of fitting, saidscrew thread, bayonet, magnetic, friction fit, push fit or other type offitting engage each other before the plunger engages with the air tubewithin said opening.
 8. A liquid supply system in accordance with claim1, wherein said air vent is connected to a low pressure reservoirarranged to extract air from the liquid reservoir when said nozzle is inthe engagement position.
 9. A liquid supply system in accordance withclaim 8, wherein said low pressure reservoir is activated by movement ofsaid plunger to extract air from the liquid reservoir when said plungeris in said open position.
 10. A liquid supply system in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said plunger has an indentation operable to receive theair tube of an electronic cigarette when said nozzle is in theengagement position.
 11. A liquid supply system in accordance with claim1, wherein said plunger is biased towards said closed position by aspring.
 12. A liquid supply system in accordance with claim 1, whereinmovement of the plunger from said closed position to said open positioncompresses a resilient material, the compression of said resilientmaterial biasing said plunger towards said closed position.
 13. A liquidsupply system in accordance with claim 1, wherein movement of theplunger from said closed position to said open position stretches aresilient material attached to said plunger, the stretching of saidresilient material biasing said plunger towards said closed position.14. A liquid supply system for an electronic smoking device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said opening is a mouthpiece portoperable to receive a mouthpiece configured for extracting vapour viasaid air tube.
 15. A liquid reservoir for an electronic smoking devicecomprising: a body portion having a central cavity accessible via anopening; an air tube for extracting vapour from an electronic smokingdevice provided within said central cavity, accessible via said opening;and a membrane having one or more slit valves provided adjacent the endof the air tube accessible via said opening; wherein said membrane isconfigured to be deformed to open said slit valves and permit liquid toflow into said central cavity.
 16. A liquid reservoir in accordance withclaim 15, wherein said opening is a mouthpiece port operable to receivea mouthpiece configured for extracting vapour via said air tube.
 17. Aliquid reservoir in accordance with claim 16, further comprising anatomizer operable when connected to power supply to atomize liquidstored in the liquid reservoir.